Please join us on Saturday, September 10th for the first annual Scottish Trans conference since 2019!
It's been sad not to see people in so long, and we can't wait to get together again. While we know that the last few years have been difficult for many of us, we want to use this day to come together and start talking and thinking about how we can work together to make Scotland a place where we're all welcomed, accepted, and celebrated for who we are.
This event will be open to all trans and non-binary people and our supportive friends, parents, partners, families and allies, who are 18 years old and over. Some sessions will only be open to trans and non-binary people.
The event will include an opening plenary from Maree Todd MSP (Minister for Public Health), three different sessions each with multiple workshops to choose from, and of course a catered lunch!
We'll be hosting the event at Norton Park Conference Centre in Edinburgh. For lots of accessibility info about the venue, you can check out the Euan's Guide page: https://www.euansguide.com/venues/norton-park-conference-centre-edinburgh-1939/#page-content
If you would need a BSL interpreter to be properly included at our Conference, please let us know by Thursday 25th August.
Covid Policy
We encourage all attendees to take a lateral flow test up to 24 hours before attending the event, and we ask that you please not to attend if you test positive or display symptoms of Covid.
If your require reimbursement for your Covid test, please bring the receipt from you test to the event. You can purchase Covid tests at most supermarkets and pharmacies.
Please feel free to wear a face covering for this event if you wish as it will be indoors. Please make sure to bring a face covering if you wish to attend the “I am…” workshop.
What's on at the conference? Check out the list below to see some of the workshops available to attendees:
What's the deal with gender recognition reform?
Join us for an update on all things GRA reform! Got questions about the stages in Parliament before the Bill is voted on? Want to get involved in changing the law for the better? This session is for you!
Moving forward in transition (LGBT Health & Wellbeing)*
A workshop exploring the various aspects of transitioning, including: social, medical, mental health impact and gender presentation. Aimed at anyone feeling stuck or just needing that extra boost to help you feel better about the journey. Whether you’re unsure what transition really means or have been at it for years now, come join us for a mixture of group discussions and individual work, with practical ideas and peer support along the way!
Know your rights!
Anti-trans media misinformation often causes confusion about equality law. This session will help you better understand trans rights and ways of challenging discrimination and harassment.
Get involved in Trans Pride (Trans Pride Scotland)*
Think you could help make Trans Pride even better next year? Meet with the Trans Pride Committee and learn how you could help support this community-run event ahead of their annual general meeting on September 25th.
Yes you can: Introduction*
Find out how you can get involved with our “Yes You Can” project, which aims to bring trans people together in their local area to meet with their MSPs and ensure our elected representatives know more about what trans people are really like.
Yes you can: Let's talk events*
This session is for participants of our “Yes You Can” project and will discuss what different kind of events participants could host to reach out to MSPs and other changemakers in their local area.
I am… (Positive Change Arts)*
This workshop provides a supportive and nurturing environment for attendees to creatively explore who they are. With the aid of art and crafts materials, attendees are invited to shed any unwanted or enforced labels and to use language and images of their own choosing to express their own ‘I am…’.
Note: Attendance at this session is limited to 10 in-person participants. If you wish to attend to this session, you must wear a face covering for the duration of the workshop. 10 space are also available for those unable to attend in-person as this will be a hybrid workshop, and tickets can be booked here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/10309/online-i-am-workshop
Trans history: past, present, future
How have we gotten to where we are today? What can we learn from our history? Join us to explore the histories of trans movements, activism and equality and what these can tell us about building a better future.
Wellbeing Sessions (Pride Outside)
Pride Outside will be offering a chill out zone with queer books, magazines and zines along with wellbeing and craft activities.
Anti-racism 101 (two-part workshop)
Being actively anti-racist is an essential part of bringing social change and inclusion to our communities. This two-part workshop is designed to help people understand where the system of racism comes from, and to give some practical steps to challenge it in daily life. Participants must attend part 1 in order to attend part 2.
Trans movement across the region: European and Central Asia perspectives (TGEU)
Current times are taking a toll on trans communities' rights and lives as we are move from one crisis to another; Covid, the war in Ukraine, and the rising tide of anti-LGBT forces. Yet, trans communities resist and fight back. This session aims at both exploring common challenges trans communities are experiencing throughout Europe and Central Asia, as well as learning good practices from the the countless trans-led initiatives deployed to protect our communities.
What's the deal with trans healthcare in Scotland?
This informative session will get you right up to date on the current state of trans healthcare in Scotland and what changes are being made to improve the services.
*This session is for trans and non-binary participants only
Conference Schedule:
10.00 - Doors open & registration
10.45 - Welcome & Opening Plenary from Maree Todd MSP (Minister for Public Health)
11.10 - 12.25 - Session 1:
Trans healthcare, Know your rights, Trans movement across Europe & Asia, Moving forward in transition, Trans Pride, Pride outside
12.25 - 13.25 - Lunch
13.25 - 14.40 - Session 2:
Anti-racism part 1, Trans history, Intergenerational conversations, Moving forward in transition, Yes you can introduction, Pride outside
14.40 - 14.55 - Short comfort break
14.55 - 16.10 - Session 3:
Anti-racism part 2, I am…, Gender Recognition Reform, Yes you can events, Pride outside
16.15 - 16.30 - Closing remarks
16.30 - Conference ends
Throughout the day, there will be space for people to hang out and socialise if you don't fancy a workshop at that time, a quiet room if you need to take a break, and massage services from Cool Amber Massage.
Getting to the conference
The conference takes place in Norton Park Conference Centre, around a mile and a half from the city centre and directly next to Easter Road football stadium.
The centre's address is 57 Albion Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 5QY.
Parking
The centre has on-site parking, including disabled parking bays.
Public transport
The closest train station to the conference centre is Edinburgh Waverly. You can use the trainline website or app to find train times into Edinburgh from you live.
From there it is a half an hour walk, or around 10 minutes on the number 16, 25, or 49 bus to the Brunswick Road stop followed by a 5 minute walk to the conference centre. The 35 bus also stops a short walk away.